Featured Posts

Nov 15, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Stand with Ukraine: Support Life-Saving Aid

Nova Ukraine is thankful that you are considering partnering with us. When you stand with us, lives are changed. Your support allows us to alleviate suffering, save lives, and protect human dignity. Would you consider joining us? We invite you to join us in providing critical emergency aid to those who need it most. Every donation helps to purchase and deliver these vital items directly to those on the ground, ensuring they have the resources to respond swiftly to traumatic injuries and save lives. Your support goes beyond a simple gift — it becomes a lifeline for those defending their homeland and for civilians caught in the crossfire. Your partnership with Nova Ukraine is a direct investment into life. The UN has estimated that 14.6 million people in Ukraine will need urgent humanitarian assistance in the coming months. We thank you in advance for your support and advocacy that makes a difference in the lives we serve daily. Donate. Impact. Change.

Heal

Nov 15, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Help Save Lives: Support Critical Emergency Medical Supplies for Ukraine

In Ukraine, men and women on the front lines, as well as innocent civilians, face the daily threat of life-threatening injuries. Essential medical supplies like tourniquets, chest seals, and pressure bandages are urgently needed to prevent unnecessary loss of life. These supplies are often the only thing standing between life and death when immediate medical attention is required. However, the supply of these lifesaving tools is severely limited, and the demand is constant and overwhelming.Your donation, however small, can make a profound difference: We invite you to join us in providing critical emergency aid to those who need it most. Every donation helps to purchase and deliver these vital items directly to those on the ground, ensuring they have the resources to respond swiftly to traumatic injuries and save lives. Your support goes beyond a simple gift — it becomes a lifeline for those defending their homeland and for civilians caught in the crossfire. Please consider making a donation today. Together, we can help protect those who protect others and give civilians a fighting chance to survive. Your generosity could make all the difference. Thank you for standing with Ukraine and supporting this critical cause. Donate. Impact. Change.

Nov 15, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Safe Spaces for Ukraine: Bomb Shelter Constructions

In Ukraine’s high-risk regions, daily air raids and relentless shelling put lives in constant danger. Nova Ukraine’s Safe Spaces initiative will build bomb shelters along Ukraine’s most affected border regions, including Kharkiv, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, offering protection for children, women, and men from the harsh reality of ongoing attacks.Your Contribution Will Make a Difference on the Ground: Every dollar you contribute builds hope and provides a life-saving refuge for Ukrainians in the line of fire. Together, let’s create safe spaces! Donate. Impact. Change. We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.

Build

Nov 15, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Healing Hands for Ukraine’s Youngest

In Ukraine, children are enduring unimaginable pain from severe burn injuries, with many developing life-threatening sepsis due to a lack of preventative treatments. Almost 30% of these young patients are admitted to intensive care, fighting to survive. The need for accessible treatment is urgent, yet resources remain desperately scarce.Here’s how your donation WILL make a difference: Nova Ukraine, in partnership with dedicated local teams, is working tirelessly to bridge this gap. With your support, we can provide the essential care these children need to recover safely and protect the childhood they deserve. Join us in giving them a chance to heal, to thrive, and to dream again.Nova Ukraine's focus is to help the people of Ukraine. Our ongoing efforts are well-documented in our Impact Reports https://novaukraine.org/about-us/reports/. Please read and subscribe to our Newsletters at https://novaukraine.org/newsletter/. Donate. Impact. Change. We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.

Nov 7, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine’s Continued Commitment and Advocacy Outlook

Nova Ukraine extends congratulations to President-elect Trump on his decisive victory, as well as to newly elected senators and House members. We remain committed to our bipartisan advocacy for Ukraine and ongoing support for its people. With a decade of experience, we are well-positioned to maintain our programs in Ukraine and the U.S. We anticipate sustained bipartisan support for Ukraine in the new Congress. Key legislative priorities include securing an additional supplemental aid package to bolster Ukraine’s defense and ensure a strong negotiating position. We also emphasize the importance of utilizing frozen Russian assets in the U.S. to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and reconstruction efforts. Furthermore, we urge the incoming Trump administration to prioritize effective security guarantees for Ukraine, including progress toward NATO membership Donate. Impact. Change. We greatly value your support, and it is indeed crucial. Please consider donating monthly. Your consistent contributions are vital to sustaining our efforts and driving meaningful change over time. Your commitment will make a lasting difference, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donate now or learn how you can help.

Nov 2, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Supporting Ukraine’s Children: Backpacks Against Blackouts

As the war in Ukraine, instigated by russia in 2022, stretches into its third year, millions of Ukrainian children continue to face difficulties. Frequent air alerts, long power outages, and disrupted communications have become the new normal. For children in regions like Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy (and many other places across all Ukraine), even the simple act of attending school brings anxiety. Before starting the new school year in September 2024, Nova Ukraine provided essential school supplies, including power banks and water bottles, for students in Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy. Staying connected—to learn but also to talk to parents during long air alerts—is increasingly challenging. Power outages last for hours. The longest air raid alert to date took place in the Kharkiv region, lasting over 50 hours and 30 minutes on July 23, 2024. As we head into winter months, power shortages are predicted to become more severe. Optimistic projections suggest that Ukrainians will face up to 12 hours of daily power outages, while more pessimistic scenarios warn of outages lasting up to 20 hours per day. Similarly, UN experts warn that outages will last anywhere from 4 to 18 hours per day. Entire regions risk living in hours-long darkness. For children, these disruptions are so much more than an inconvenience. Imagine being a child, stuck in a bomb shelter, unable to communicate with your family, without power or light for hours on end. Perhaps even harder, imagine being the parent of a child stuck in a bomb shelter away from you. The psychological toll is immense. Access to basic resources like charged devices or fresh water becomes essential for children’s safety and parents’ peace of mind.

Empower

Oct 31, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Standing with Ukraine This Winter

As we approach the winter months, Nova Ukraine remains focused on delivering support to those facing mounting challenges. For millions of Ukrainian families, power outages, frequent air alerts, and disrupted routines have become part of daily life. Our work aims to provide a sense of security, normalcy, and resilience for Ukrainians facing an increasingly harsh winter. Here’s a look at our latest initiatives, advocacy work, and how you can help us make a difference this season. Supporting Ukraine’s Children – Backpacks Against Blackouts The war has left many Ukrainian children with interrupted schooling and constant anxiety. For the school year, Nova Ukraine provided essential school supplies, including power banks and water bottles, to students in high-risk regions like Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy.

Newsletter

Oct 21, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Ensuring Access to Remote Education. Nova Ukraine supports Prometheus, the largest online educational platform in Ukraine.

Education is a necessity, not a luxury—but for many Ukrainian children, it’s become just that. With constant hour-long air alerts, access to learning is a daily challenge. Nova Ukraine is dedicated to changing that by supporting efforts to expand educational access and quality, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, even in the hardest of times. As air alerts continue, Ukrainian children face constant interruptions to their education. In-person schooling becomes risky and often unfeasible. In these challenging conditions, remote learning offers a vital lifeline, helping students maintain their education. But for this to truly work, dependable access to technology and the internet is crucial. Nova Ukraine's recent support of Prometheus, the largest online learning platform in Ukraine, highlights its commitment to providing stable access to education. With over 350 massive open online courses (MOOCs) and 2.7 million learners, this initiative emphasizes the critical role of accessible educational resources, especially in times of crisis when remote learning becomes a lifeline. Nova Ukraine chose to partner with Prometheus to address the severe disruptions to education caused by the ongoing war. With over 5 million of Ukraine's 7.5 million students forced to relocate, including more than 1 million now living as refugees, the need for accessible, high-quality educational resources has never been greater. The war has also highlighted a critical gap in Ukrainian-language popular science materials, as many resources were previously available only in Russian. As Ukrainian students, teachers, and parents increasingly reject Russian-language content, there is a risk that a generation could grow up without adequate educational resources in their native language. Nova Ukraine saw Prometheus as the ideal partner to help fill this gap, providing access to engaging, culturally relevant content for students across Ukraine.

Empower

Oct 14, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine Takes Part in the “Marathon of Support Programs for Medical Institutions” at 33rd International Medical Exhibition, Public Health 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine

Between February 2022 and September 2024, Nova Ukraine delivered $110 million in aid, helped more than 7,897,400 people, supported evacuations of 160,000 people and animals, and currently maintains a presence of more than 3,517 volunteers in Ukraine. In the third year of the full-scale invasion by russia, it’s now more important than ever to stay strong, present, and help in any way we can. Since Nova Ukraine’s inception 10 years ago, our focus and main initiatives included medical aid, advocacy, infrastructure, and education and culture. Medical initiatives get the largest share of our budget. Nova Ukraine supplies medical equipment including hospital beds, tactical medicine, prosthetics, medications for hospitals, stabilization centers and the civilian population in Ukraine, and more. To discuss our current medical initiatives, Nova Ukraine took part in the "Marathon of Support Programs for Medical Institutions" held as part of the annual exhibition, Public Health 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. During the marathon, representatives of International and Ukrainian charitable foundations, which provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian medical institutions, talked about their assistance programs. Andrii Rudenko, medical lead of the UA team, shared with representatives of the medical institutions the projects that Nova Ukraine implements in Ukraine. We talked about the main strategy of the medical team's work, which is to implement projects that contribute to saving lives and rehabilitation.

Oct 9, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Interview with Victoria Drach, UA Director

Victoria relocated to Kyiv from a small town in 1996. Since then, she has dedicated over 8 years to working with both Ukrainian and American NGOs, and more than 16 years to various businesses. Guided by her mantra, "Think Big," Victoria is unwavered in her pursuit of excellence and progress for any organization she serves. Firmly believing in the importance of knowledge, experience, and the sharing of information, Victoria actively seeks out educational opportunities. Her academic achievements include earning four degrees: college, a diploma with honors in English Philology, an MBA degree, and participating in numerous international programs and courses on leadership during crises, digital marketing, and project management. Recognizing her expertise in project management and business optimization, Victoria is committed to enhancing the efficiency and productivity of Nova Ukraine on its path to success. Interview What is the Director of Nova Ukraine in Ukraine responsible for? The Country Director brings the entire team together, unites them to ensure everything happens quickly and efficiently, and facilitates people working in Ukraine feel comfortable and understand what they need to do, when, and how to achieve the best results.

Oct 6, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Honoring Ukraine’s Past and Future: Viktor and Kateryna Yushchenko Lead a Powerful Discussion, Hosted by Nova Ukraine

We had the honor of hosting an inspiring event with Viktor and Kateryna Yushchenko—the former Ukrainian President (2005-2010) and First Lady. Their powerful words deeply resonated with the audience. President Yushchenko shared firsthand stories from the Orange Revolution, a time when hope for a brighter future clashed with the grim Soviet legacy. Ukrainians stood up for their right to democracy in 2004 and defended fair elections by combating electoral fraud. President Yushchenko's passion for freedom and the fight for Ukraine’s future shone through, reminding us of the universal desire for self-determination and justice. Kateryna Yushchenko brought a personal touch to the evening. Born and raised in Chicago, she highlighted how important it was for the Ukrainian diaspora to showcase their heritage before Ukraine’s independence was announced in 1991. She shared how her parents were adamant about promoting Ukrainian culture and fostering pride and resilience in their community. Kateryna applied her multicultural perspective to her extensive humanitarian work. She spoke about the profound impact of healthcare and education initiatives in Ukraine now. Her heartfelt commitment to helping others reminded us that even from afar, we can play a role in supporting those in need. Their stories echo powerfully in a world where the fundamental rights to fair elections, freedom, and the sanctity of life continue to face significant challenges. They illuminated not just the political landscape of Ukraine but also the human stories behind it—the families, children, and communities striving for a better life. The Yushchenkos’ messages of resilience and hope inspire us to reflect on the importance of solidarity, not just as a political stance but as a moral imperative. In an era where empathy and emotional connection are paramount, their stories serve as a vivid reminder that supporting Ukraine is fundamentally about upholding our shared values of freedom, dignity, and compassion. This solidarity transcends borders, emphasizing our collective responsibility to champion these ideals in the face of adversity.Nova Ukraine is proud to host such a special event and grateful for the ongoing support of our community! A big thank you to everyone who attended and made this night so special. Your continued support strengthens our mission to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and promote awareness globally.

Empower

Oct 4, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine Leadership Strengthens Ties with USAID in Meeting with Assistant Administrator Erin Elizabeth McKee

Nova Ukraine’s leadership recently met with Erin Elizabeth McKee, Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E), along with other key humanitarian and development stakeholders focused on supporting Ukraine. Representing Nova Ukraine at the meeting were several key members of the board of directors, including Mikola (Nick) Bilogorskiy, Chairman; Michael Simbirsky, Treasurer; Rodion Yaryy, Director; and Dr. Igor L Markov, Director. Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience and dedication to ensuring the organization's mission of providing humanitarian aid and supporting Ukraine’s recovery. USAID’s Efforts to Support Ukraine At the meeting, Ambassador McKee outlined USAID’s efforts to support Ukraine, which include humanitarian aid and development projects totaling tens of billions of dollars. These projects focus on providing immediate assistance while also supporting long-term recovery.

Oct 3, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Stash Response Teams: Emergency Relief for Kryvyi Rih and Kharkiv

The heaviest russian offensive since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022 (now overtaken by russia’s appalling attack on Poltava on September 3rd, with 41 killed at the time of writing), hundreds of ballistic missiles struck dozens of cities throughout Ukraine as families celebrated Independence Day. Among the cities impacted by this extreme attack include Kryviy Rih and Kharkiv. russia destroyed an apparent “military target”—a peaceful civilian hotel in the center of Kryvyi Rih—in which four people were killed and five more were critically wounded. On top of these casualties, six shops and four multistory buildings were damaged. As of recently, the primary strategy employed by russian forces include shelling hotels—where foreign journalists and representatives of peace missions and NGOs reside—to intimidate the civilian population and diminish the persistence of those brave enough to share the truth of the war’s atrocities to the wider world. Only recently, russia shelled a hotel in Kramatorsk, killing a foreign journalist while seriously injuring several others. Facilitated through the emergency-response project, Nova Stash, Nova Ukraine coordinated an effective and impactful response following the attacks in Kryviy Rih and Kharkiv on August 25th. By nine in the morning, five hours following the attack, 62 houses along with 228 individuals required aid and assistance. In addition, twelve households were completely destroyed, along with damage to critical civil infrastructure. After this disastrous rocket attack on Kharkiv, Nova Stash partners by the name “Unbreakable Kharkiv” provided prompt aid to help those affected by the bombardments. The Nova Stash project has proved to be a critical provider of aid and humanitarian assistance during the recent attacks. The first teams utilizing Nova Stash supplies began their operations in June of 2024. The project, however, has been primarily active for 2 ½ months due to the time required to prepare appropriate supplies for emergency aid.

Build

Sep 30, 2024

Iryna Roik

Ten Years of Impact: Spotlight on the Ukrainian Team

— By Iryna Roik and Ira Drobot Every successful team evolves over years: refining internal processes, growing, navigating crises, and carefully selecting individuals with the same core values. This year, our global organization and the American team are celebrating a decade of impactful work: 10 years of working shoulder-to-shoulder across continents. The Ukrainian team, which came together after the russian full-scale invasion in 2022, has quickly become a cohesive and effective force. As if being lifelong friends or an old couple, the Ukrainian team understands each other, trusts, and keeps working together for the sake of peace. Challenges? Yes, But Only with Courage Our boots on the ground, the Ukrainian team is the highlight today. Despite facing constant russian shelling, power outages, and the heart-wrenching loss of loved ones, the team continues working. These circumstances are close to a nightmarish HR experiment of stressful team building. Yet, it is the reality.

Sep 27, 2024

Nova Ukraine

U.S. Approves New $7.8B Aid Package for Ukraine

On September 26, 2024, President Joe Biden announced a $7.9 billion allocation to bolster Ukraine’s defense against russian aggression. Announced during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House, this allocation underscores the America’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Biden stated, “Through these actions, my message is clear: The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war.” Included are additional Patriot air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, long-range Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW), and support for Ukraine’s defense infrastructure. As the U.S. ramps up military assistance, Nova Ukraine continues providing a broad variety of aid and services, focusing on saving lives, recovery and rehabilitation. What started as grassroots efforts in 2014 has grown into a leading organization, delivering over $106 million in aid and forming essential partnerships to address Ukraine’s most urgent needs. Both defense and humanitarian support remain vital to Ukraine’s sovereignty. Nova Ukraine’s Direct Impact on the Ground

Newsletter

Sep 27, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Lighting the Way: Nova Ukraine’s Role in Empowering Young Scouts

Children thrive when they have role models, an inspired community, and a vision of a brighter world. The Ukrainian National Scout organization “Plast” or "plastuny" combines these three elements to promote well-rounded development among children. The scout's organization is well equipped with a vision, principles, and core program that helps raise the next generation of young, motivated leaders. Nova Ukraine is lighting a path toward hope, growth, and resilience by supporting approximately 7,200 Ukrainian children to attend the program. Plast isn't just a place where kids learn skills. It's a sanctuary where they can rediscover joy, friendship, and the beauty of their heritage while being a part of a supportive community. For Ukrainian children, Plast's annual summer camps are the highlight of a year’s worth of preparation. These camps offer more than just a getaway: they provide immersive experiences in nature, history, and culture. Recognizing their transformative impact, Nova Ukraine awarded scholarships to 220 children in 2024. Thanks to this support, 205 children have already participated so far. These camps foster teamwork and personal development, as Yukhym from Kamianets-Podilskyi shares. "At home, I spend a lot of time on my phone, but at camp, I’m always doing something with my friends, and I love it." (Yukhym, Kamianets-Podilskyi)

Sep 26, 2024

Nova Ukraine

On the Ground: Jeff Kramer’s Journey Through Ukraine’s 2024 Summer

The summer of 2024 has been a devastating season for Ukraine, as the war intensified, civilian casualties surged, and vital infrastructure continued to being destroyed. The ongoing conflict has left millions of Ukrainians vulnerable, pushing humanitarian efforts to their limits and highlighting the urgent need for continued global support. During his first trip to Ukraine, Jeff Kramer, Nova Ukraine’s Chief Development Officer (CDO), experienced this grim reality firsthand. His visit brought him face-to-face with the destruction, the grief, and the unbreakable spirit of those fighting to rebuild their lives in the midst of war. Traveling to Kyiv, Lviv, and Mykolaiv, Kramer met with the people Nova Ukraine is serving, as well as the organization’s local team and partners. This personal journey underscored the immense challenges and the resilient hope that defines life in Ukraine today. Civilian Casualties Surge: A Grim Reality In August 2024 alone, 184 civilians were killed and 856 injured, marking the second deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, following July’s record losses. The devastation was felt across the country, particularly in Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region and Kharkiv, where mass casualty events left entire communities shattered.Jeff Kramer described his own sobering experience.

Sep 19, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine Celebrates its 10th Anniversary Gallery

A special thanks to DakhaBrakha for their unforgettable performance, making the evening even more meaningful.As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we are more determined than ever to strengthen our impact and stand with Ukraine to help, heal, rebuild, and empower. Together, we will continue making a difference.

Sep 13, 2024

Nova Ukraine

What Is in Our First-Aid Kits?

By Tatyana Meshcheryakova — One of Nova Ukraine’s ongoing tactical medical initiatives includes sourcing and delivering, through our partners, first-aid kits in Ukraine, where the need for them is ongoing. A properly assembled first-aid kit can make a difference between life and death (or a grave injury), even if it’s packed with fewer than 15 items. It's important to emphasize the use of standardized and certified first-aid kits, and it's helpful to check for compliance with the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Guidelines (but we cannot claim that we use only such components). Between September 2022 and August 2024, we've provided a total of 17,104 kits. Did you ever wonder what is in a first-aid kit? Let’s take a look at what’s inside.

Sep 5, 2024

Nova Ukraine

US Advocacy Groups Call on State Department to Secure Remaining $6B of Aid for Ukraine Before September Deadline

Several American nonprofit organizations, including Nova Ukraine, are urging the U.S. Department of State to act swiftly and ensure that the remaining $6.2 billion designated for Ukraine do not expire before the fiscal year ends on September 30th. These funds are still available under presidential authority, but if not allocated in time, they risk being lost, potentially sending a troubling signal regarding U.S. support for Ukraine. "Billions of dollars of congressionally approved Ukraine PDA funds expired in previous years — a lost opportunity to provide American weapons and ammunition to support heroic defenders. We urge the administration to prevent such expiration in 2024 and notify Congress that the funds remaining are still needed. If Ukraine falls, the support of four NATO members bordering Ukraine will become much costlier." — Igor Markov, Director of Nova Ukraine. Read more here » WE NEED YOUR HELP — At the current rate, some $5.7B of Ukraine aid will be left unused by September 30. Delays Kill. Ukraine cannot afford to lose this support. Civilian infrastructure, hospitals, and schools are targeted daily amidst russia’s relentless attacks. Summer 2024 has been the deadliest since the full-scale invasion began.

Aug 21, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine’s Impact Report, April-June 2024

As we cross the 850-day mark of the full-scale war on Ukraine, our commitment to being a strong backbone for Ukrainian society remains unwavering. At Nova Ukraine, we are dedicated to helping Ukraine and its people build a strong, flourishing nation with an empowered civil society. Our resolve to support and uplift those affected continues to grow in scope and impact. We are deeply grateful for your support and solidarity. Your generosity and compassion are making a real difference in the lives of people in Ukraine. The Trauma of War Over 47.8% of the total budget Nova Ukraine is allocated to medical aid delivery in Ukraine. This support is very important and valuable, given that russia is disregarding any civilized rules of warfare and targets hospitals with defenseless patients and doctors.

Aug 14, 2024

Nova Ukraine

What Does It Take to Create a Prosthesis?

By Sofiia Tiapkina — In the international community, arm prosthetics is a niche field. The loss of part or all of an arm is usually either a congenital pathology or trauma-related. In Ukraine, because of the full-scale invasion, the need for arm prosthetics has increased almost threefold compared to the military period of 2014-2022, and more than threefold compared to the pre-war period. Even more important than the technologies in arm prosthetics are the knowledge and skills of the prosthetist and the patient's work with an occupational therapist to master the device. Imagine all the elements that go into making every individually tailored prosthesis: the arm’s complex anatomy and biomechanics, the principles of restoring vital functions, determining the most appropriate design for the socket, considerations of weight, placement of fastenings, wrist flexion, and so much more. Every day, the industry moves forward — new types of fastenings, connecting features, and other components can significantly enhance the functionality of a prosthesis. As Antonina Kumka, CEO of Protez Hub, explains, “Arm prosthesis is a delicate art — just like the human hand itself. Regardless of the advanced technology, we cannot hope to create a quality product without the proper education, experience, and investing our souls into the process.” Every device is the result of countless hours of preparation.

Aug 9, 2024

Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine’s New Initiatives in Supporting Ukraine’s Educational System

By Kristina Danilenko According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), “over 400,000 young children — 47% of all children aged 1 to 6 — lack access to in-person early childhood education (ECE).” The impact of the war perpetuated by russia on Ukraine’s education system cannot be overstated: school closures, limited access to devices and internet connectivity, coupled with the endurance of brutal attacks and destruction, has left 83% of young children in Ukraine increasingly vulnerable to mental health issues characterized by reduced social interactions, lower self-esteem, and constant stress due to violence. More than 1,300 schools have been completely destroyed by russian bombardments. One in five children attend school exclusively online, yet regular power outages throughout Ukraine — with some regions lacking electricity for over 10 hours per day — warn that studying remotely will become even more challenging for students this year. Though refusing to admit it, russia has blatantly demonstrated that educational institutions are indeed military targets, and the aggressor aims to hinder the development of Ukraine’s future generation.

Aug 8, 2024

Nova Ukraine

A Veteran’s Story

“I had four injuries, a concussion, and almost no strength left. I was ready to die. So I asked to speak to my family and told my friend to evacuate without me,” recalls Ivan. Originally from Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv region, Ivan participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in 2014. At the beginning of the full-scale war, he did not hesitate to join a volunteer territorial defense battalion to defend Ukraine. Ivan and his comrades were tasked with defending the strait near Nestyryha Island. “It was a small observation post, with fighting occurring 600-700 meters from us. When they started shelling our post, we constantly maneuvered. I was wounded in the abdomen and arm, breaking a bone. From that day on, my arm was useless. We were promised evacuation, but unfortunately, the boats could not reach us as they were being shelled,” Ivan recounts. He and his team waited for evacuation for three days, but no one could get to them. During that time, he sustained two more injuries and a concussion. One day, they were ordered to evacuate on foot, throwing all their equipment into the water.